Interfaith Congregations Attend National Dhikr and Prayer Event at Monas

Thousands of interfaith worshippers attended the National Dhikr and Prayer event held at the National Monument (Monas) in Jakarta on Saturday, marking the first agenda in the Independence Month series of events. Although the participants were predominantly Muslim, members of other faiths, including Hindu, Buddhist, Christian, Catholic, and Confucian, were also present.

Wayan Kembarayana, a Hindu worshipper travelling from Cijantung, expressed hope that this National Dhikr and Prayer event would further strengthen the harmony of Indonesia’s pluralistic society, spanning various ethnicities and religions. “The hope is that Indonesia remains peaceful, given the current situation,” said Wayan.

He also noted that he did not mind the event being largely composed of Islamic activities, such as Quranic recitations and sholawat. “I spent a long time in Bali; I am used to this condition, of tolerance and mutual respect,” said Wayan, who arrived with a group of 50 people from the Hindu community.

The National Dhikr and Prayer event commenced with a choir performance from the Directorate General of Christian Community Guidance and the Directorate General of Catholic Community Guidance of the Ministry of Religious Affairs. This was followed by Quranic recitations, congregational Maghrib prayers, and sholawat by the Hadrah Ahbabul Musthofa group. The programme continued with national sholawat led by Habib Syech bin Abdul Qodir Assegaf, culminating in a joint prayer led by representatives of various religious leaders.